Sunday, August 28, 2011

For people who aren't on a 5-day-work-week like me, the long weekend officially begins today. There's nothing much on my itinerary though - blame it on a week-long battle with cough and colds. The past couple of days had been rainy, cloudy and windy. But today, sun's out and I thought I'd give my trainers the much-needed scrub. Someone has just wished on his wall for a sunny day - you're in luck buddy!

Vegan Not Yet

I thought I'd be loyal to paperbacks and hard-bounds. Now, I'm reading a third book from a tablet. The first one spoke about genetically modified foods, organic products and L-tryptophan. The book offers a wide range of easy-to-prepare and mouth-watering recipes, all healthy and yummy. But I am not ready yet. I will just continue with my no-red-meat diet, for now. The whites will still be a regular on my plate.

photo by lulu.com

Segue: went to buy my favorite vegetable lumpia from Orange Brutus and guess who I saw? The Omerta! Just read the full article where he lambasted his critics over a race he helped organize some three weeks ago. I still couldn't believe such reaction from a revered person, from the same one who a year ago called for harmony in the running scene. Some quarters vowed, including myself, that if he's the one behind a race, we'd rather go bandit!

Aaron's Game

I sat beside Aaron while having a chi-noy dinner last night. Her lola is in town for a short vacation, the dinner capped her long-day tour of Cebu. While we munched on a whole-carbo entree, Aaron was also working on his own menu - the Kung Fu food game. We ate, he played. And he giggled and giggled some more! Lola will be preparing a hot pot tonight and we will sit together again. Aaron will be in cloud nine once more. The child's joy is just priceless!

photo by itunes.com

Gutsy!

A few days ago, I bumped into a fellow runner at the mall. Looked like he came from another workout. I asked him about his sore ankle from a few weeks back and he responded smilingly, pointing down. Yesterday, he joined the 1st USC Warrior's Run and completed this morning another half marathon in Panglao, Bohol. Unstoppable or simply a warrior? I am just amazed at how sometimes the heart and mind can overcome a physical ill like parang wala lang. Here in this photo, Al Raymond's enjoying a 42K run amidst the pain, a full marathon through the rain. Yes, I will say it again - injury is only for the strong!

photo by jameslgo

Shout-outs!

Today is the big day of a big boy who's still somewhere in Mindanao, helping, keeping insurgents at bay. Happy Birthday, Marine Officer Romel Robles! On Friday, our little boy turns into an adult as he turns 18. Party in advance while enjoying the temporary break from the Academy. Happy Birthday, Cadet Praise Camacho Bisleg! All the best, guys! Make the country proud!

Have a blessed Sunday, everyone. Enjoy the long weekend! Paminsan-minsan lang 'to!

Monday, August 1, 2011

It was the most anticipated race after the Cebu Marathon. It only featured two distance runs - 21K and 42K. It was participated in by close to 800 enthusiastic runners. It was held in SW Cebu covering the towns of Badian, Alegria and Malabuyoc. The coastal view was a perfect setting. It was not for the weakest of hearts. It was the Kawasan Falls Marathon or KFM.

A spectator, supporter, photographer - these were my key duties for the day. With a sore toe and barely three hours of sleep, I rushed to the bus terminal in the hope of catching the first trip to Badian. At 4AM, buses were still almost empty so I thought the yellow bus would not be hitting the road soon. And I knew that by the time we reached Kawasan, almost half of 21K runners would have crossed the finish line.

Today, TYJs June-Marq Briz, Brandon Niala and Bong Acebedo ran their 1st 42K and became certified marathoners. Woot woot! Richard Ytac debuted at his 1st 21K. Lor Solon, Liezl Vallente, Alex Arong and John Acebedo were simply mastering the art of completing this race category. Today was filled with memorable experiences. And missing this event for anything would be a faux pas.

Got off the bus at nearly eight and hopped immediately on a rented habal-habal that took me to the entire race course. Overcast skies and ocean view provided complete backdrop. Rolling hills. Rains here and there. Supportive locals. Caught up with elite runners, barefoot runners, seasoned runners and club runners - Ungos, TTBs, Lasangs, FRCs, TWRs, PS BPs, Soushas. Made a u-turn upon taking a photo of the last marathoner.

Congratulations to all runners, finishers, winners and first-timers. Props for our TYJ June-Marq Briz for placing 10th in the Female 42K category. We are truly proud of you!

Finally, the whole KFM experience wouldn't be complete without sampling what Kawasan was famous for - its marvelous falls and cold waters!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

It is a significant stage for people who track their progress. They call it a landmark run. It sums up the distances in kilometers and miles, the long countless hours spent on the road and the buckets of sweats and sometimes, of tears. Some take it too personal, they call it their run-niversary. And such is the case for most Team Yellow Jersey'ers. But more than an anniversary, it's also a celebration!

The 2011 edition of Citirun held on March 27 marked my first year of being in the running scene. It was my fourth appearance at a half marathon and as if all the life forces were with me on that part-rainy sometimes-sunny red-letter day, I crossed the finish line with a new PR. And who would have thought that a year later, for a baby team like TYJ, eight would be full-pledged half-marathoners? Whoa!

Almost three weeks later, the rest of the pack took their turns. The Great Lapu-Lapu Run 3 happened on April 17 as part of the yearly Kadaugan Sa Mactan festival. The perky marked their anniversary by virtue of their favorite distance, the 10K. The adventuresome, on the other hand, took the more challenging, the 21K. Nevertheless, everyone had fun. It was a worthwhile year one and everyone's poised for an exciting year two!

Monday, June 13, 2011

I had to heed doc's advice, otherwise, I'd be sidelined for life. No impact exercises for one month - that's what the exact prescription said, nothing else. Wait, he offered two alternatives, either I go spin or swim. Bending is good he quipped, pounding is not. Tough!

It's only been two weeks since being detached from my actively functioning self but it felt like reprising that role I played at a recent leadership boot camp - blindfolded, crippled, totally useless. But who knows, this long layover may do me some good, eventually. Think positive!

And since I can't be in the scene an awful lot these days, I will reminisce and backtrack a bit and relish those good running moments with TYJ and friends...

Friday, March 11, 2011

The race happened on the Sunday closest to the day of hearts and it featured a couple's category, thus, it was dubbed the Love Run. But the main attraction of SM2SM Run organized by Run for Sight was of course the half-marathon that took runners from SM City Cebu to the future SM site in SRP and then back. It could have been my fourth 21K since I started running and my second for the year but I just couldn't pass up a rather more important occasion in Manila, family first ayt?

But hey, five TYJs ran half-marathons on this day - June Marq, Alex, Brandon, Liezel and (drum roll) Lor Solon, her first. That's 105 kilometers in total! Props for you, guys! Flying under the radar for a while but six half-marathoners in less than a year is really something. Another TYJ will make her 21K debut on March 27 (here's hoping). Our seasoned 5Kers are also getting more comfortable with 10-12K. And we are growing. And things look brighter and better (an observer/friend said). So let's keep on running.